Union Ministry modifies norms

By T.S. Shankar and K. Ramachandran

CHENNAI, APRIL 1. Developmental projects in the seaward side of East Coast Road (ECR) from now on should be cleared by the State ground water agency, if they require a huge quantity of water.

In a modification to the existing norms, the Union Environment and Forests Ministry has stated that projects which require the use of 10,000 litres of water a day, will need the State agency's clearance.

The modifications, issued recently on the basis of two expert committee reports and communicated to the State authorities, is expected to pave the way for the clearance of a host of tourism- related project proposals worth over Rs. 800 crores along the Chennai-Cuddalore ECR. The projects which await clearance include amusement parks, aquariums, health resorts, aqua sport and leisure centres. Promoters of the projects hope that the Union Ministry's latest move will help in seeing the proposals' fructification soon.

It was in the mid-90s that the proposals from the hospitality industry ran into problems, as environmentalists objected stating that the projects and the widening of the road would damage the coastal ecosystem.

The dispute went to the Madras High Court, and the Bench imposed certain conditions to safeguard the coastal stretch ecology, for projects clearance. The Union Government imposed 18 conditions including one which said ``no hotel or industry should be allowed east of ECR.'' However, the State Government said it would abide by the coastal zone regulations, but not executive conditions imposed by the Centre.

This led to the formation of an expert committee headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge, Mr. S. Natarajan, and another to look into the ``ecological and geomorphologic sensitivity of the coastal stretch'' along the ECR.

After examining the reports of both the committees, the Union Ministry has now notified the modification of two of the conditions under its February 1994 order.

Regarding the State ground water agency's clearance for the projects, the modification issued on March 22, said the quantity of groundwater approved for drawal should be incorporated in the consent issued by the State Pollution Control Board and the Pondicherry Pollution Control Committee and strictly enforced. However, in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), the provisions of the CRZ notification will apply.

According to the second modification, the road should be 7.5 m wide and tar-topped, with 1.5 metre shoulder on each side. Wherever, the road has already been widened, the tar topping will be done in a wider width. The shoulders on both sides of the ECR (Phase-I) should be widened/strengthened with black topping from Tiruvanmiyur to Mamallapuram. Beyond Mamallapuram, the ECR can be strengthened but without black topping.

The State Government should coordinate the activities with the Union Territory Administration of Pondicherry while implementing the conditions of clearance.

The responsibility of implementing these measures fully will lie with the State Government, says the order. It adds that the Union Ministry could stipulate additional safeguards subsequently, if necessary, and take action including revoking the clearance under the Environment Protection Act, to ensure effective implementation of the suggested safeguards in a time-bound and satisfactory manner.

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Section  : Regional
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